By Audrey Morallo
MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) lauded the agreement on an interim joint ceasefire struck by negotiators of the Philippine government and communist, saying such a deal would pave the way for an agreement that would address the decades-long armed rebellion.
The EU, in a statement from Brussels, said that the agreement sealed Wednesday night was “an encouraging step” that could lead to a comprehensive ceasefire agreement between the two sides and a deal on social and economic reforms the communists had been pushing.
“It is an encouraging step towards generating goodwill and trust in the peace negotiations, to encourage the forging of a more stable and comprehensive Joint Ceasefire Agreement and to provide an enabling environment for an early signing of a comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms,” the bloc said.
On Wednesday, the representatives of the Philippine government and the communist group signed an agreement on an interim ceasefire that could provide a comprehensive settlement of the 48-year Maoist insurgency in the Philippines.
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